Method device and system for heating

ABSTRACT

A method for heating by means of a gaseous medium comprising steam, said steam being produced from water, energy for heating the water being provided by burning a fuel, wherein the steam is mixed with exhaust gas from combustion of said gaseous medium; and wherein said mixture is used for heating purposes. The invention also relates to a device and a system for heating by means of a gaseous medium comprising steam. The invention further relates to a method and system for purifying gases. The invention also relates to a method, system and device for extinguishing fires in oil bore holes.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a method for heating by means of agaseous medium comprising steam, said steam being produced from water,energy for heating the water being provided by burning a fuel, accordingto the preamble of claim 1. The present invention also relates toanother method for heating by means of a gaseous medium comprisingsteam, said steam being produced from water, energy for heating thewater being provided by burning a fuel, according to the preamble ofclaim 8. The present invention further relates to a method for purifyinggases according to the preamble of claim 14. The present invention stillfurther relates to a method for extinguishing fires according to thepreamble of claim 17. The present invention further relates to a devicefor heating by means of a gaseous medium comprising steam, said steambeing produced from water, energy for heating the water being providedby burning a fuel, according to the preamble of claim 19. The presentinvention still further relates to a system for heating by means of agaseous medium comprising steam, said steam being produced from water,energy for heating the water being provided by burning a fuel, accordingto the preamble of claim 31. The present invention further relates to asystem for purifying gases according to the preamble of claim 46. Thepresent invention also relates to a system for extinguishing firesaccording to the preamble of claim 52. The present invention finallyrelates to a device for extinguishing fires according to the preamble ofclaim 56.

BACKGROUND

In boiler houses sulphur coating is formed on the inside of the boilers,i.e. extremely hard slag which is very difficult to remove. Byconventional methods water is flushed in the boiler in order to unlacethe slag, which is then scraped off. This is done by chimney cleanersand is very time consuming and does not provide a very good result. Itis further a physically demanding task and expose the workers tohazards.

In exhaust air ducts, such as e.g. kitchen ducts, fat originating fromfood products and the like gets stuck on the inside of the ducts, on thebottom part and on the walls. The fat gets extremely hard and is verydifficult to remove. The cleaning of the ducts is performed manually byconventional methods. The workers have to crawl inside the duct andscrape off the fat and collect it in buckets or the like. In buildingswith several floors a narrow elevator is constructed where the workersits and performs the cleaning. Also this does not give a satisfactoryresult and is a quite difficult task for the workers.

In the food industry, i.e. by chocolate manufacturing, slag is formed inthe chocolate channels. In order to remove the slag products heatingpistols are used, but they do not supply enough energy and are thusinefficient and do not give a satisfactory result. By releasing steamfrom boilers into the room attempts are made to clean the channels, butas the steam has to travel a long way it is not efficient at all.

In industrial chimneys the soot gets stuck on the inside of the chimney.The chimneys are cleaned by conventional cleaning, performed by chimneycleaners. This is a quite tricky and time consuming task, which can bephysically demanding and hazardous for the workers. Another way ofremoving soot is to use ultrasonic sound, which, however, is not anefficient method.

In drainage systems today, all cast iron systems are cleaned by highpressure flushing with water using a pressure greater than 100 bar. As aconsequence they tend to break in joints, sealing joints etc. onoccasions. In apartments the remains are discharged into the sewersystems, which is a problem.

The marine industry suffers from basically the above problems. They havekitchen ducts, drainage systems, chimneys etc.

By manufacturing of medicine in large tanks, the tanks are afterwardscleaned by means of hot water under high pressure. A very large amountof water is consumed and the result is not particularly good.

In the paper pulp industry the paper pulp gets stuck in e.g. the tanks,the conveyor belt where the pulp is dried, actually basically the wholeline of production. The paper pulp becomes so hard that iron bars areneeded to remove the pulp. The same type of problem also occurs byfilter manufacturing.

Cleaning of oil in pipelines which gets stuck therein is currently doneby using a sleigh or the like which cuts away the slag from the innerwalls. By this method only a certain amount is removed due to e.g. thepipes not having an exactly circular shape. In developing countries theremoving is done manually, which is very hazardous from an occupationalpoint of view. In some cases the pipelines are simply replaced.

A problem by drilling in oil wells is that the boring bars tend to getstuck by the oil flowing down in the bore holes. There is a thermalrising force from the ground heat (hot air) rising in the holes. Therising air has a certain speed, which results in a cooling effect,cooling down the oil in the bore holes, making the oil sticky, resultingin the boring bars getting stuck. There are no efficient methods tosolve this problem.

Shale oil lies under ground as bitumen. There are two known ways ofextracting the oil. Either by open cut mine or by heating up the oilsand or by heating up or diluting the oil sand so that it becomessufficiently fluid to be pumped up.

Both methods have major environmental disadvantages. Open cut minesrequire that two tons of tar sand is dug up for each barrel (159 litre)of oil produced. Only one fifth of the reserves of oil shale can beextracted with this technique. An army of trucks, trenching machines andbulldozers, which themselves require a lot of energy, are needed inorder to excavate an area of the size of a large football ground everysecond day. After having extracted the shale oil the same operation isneeded to fill up the open cut mine and restore nature. By using steamor chemicals for making the bitumen fluid, large risks for damaging theground water appear. In order to extract shale oil in shale oil reservesusing steam, steam is inserted into the ground in order to heat up thebitumen, which then becomes fairly liquid and can be retrieved. Thesteam is produced by large generators, which require a lot of electricalpower, making the oil very expensive.

When an oil tanker sinks, the water is often so cold that oil spillsinks and eventually lies on the bottom. This makes it very difficult tocollect the oil.

It is also quite difficult to collect the oil in an oilslick. One way ofpreventing the oilslicks from drifting away is to provide a barrieraround the oilslick, which has a certain depth, e.g. 2 meters. Theproblem of removing the oil in an efficient way still remains.

By fire fighting, the fires are mostly put out with water. A problem isthat after the fire is put out the facility is soaked with water leadingto large water damages. Another problem e.g. in large buildings such asskyscrapers the water is flushed from above as the ladders will notreach. This is not very efficient as the water turns into steam and ispushed away before reaching the core of the fire.

Another problem by oil drilling is that fires occasionally occur in thebore holes, which fires are difficult to extinguish. A solution to thisproblem is to blow up the bore hole to extinguish the fire. Adisadvantage with this solution is that the bore hole is destroyed.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

One object of the present invention is to provide a method for heatingby means of a gaseous medium comprising steam, said steam being producedfrom water, energy for heating the water being provided by burning afuel, such that heating becomes more efficient.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a device forheating by means of a gaseous medium comprising steam, said steam beingproduced from water, energy for heating the water being provided byburning a fuel, such that heating becomes more efficient.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a system forheating by means of a gaseous medium comprising steam, said steam beingproduced from water, energy for heating the Water being provided byburning a fuel, such that heating becomes more efficient.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a method forpurification of gases, said gases being exhaust gases, non-combustedgases or the like, such that said gases are substantially reduced.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide a systemfor purification of gases, said gases being exhaust gases, non-combustedgases or the like, such that said gases are substantially reduced

Another object of the present invention is to provide a method forextinguishing fires in oil bore holes without destroying said boreholes.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a systemintended for extinguishing fires in oil bore holes without destroyingsaid bore holes.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a deviceintended for extinguishing fires in oil bore holes without destroyingsaid bore holes.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

These and other objects, apparent from the following description, areachieved by methods, a device and a system for heating by means of agaseous medium comprising steam which is of the type stated by way ofintroduction and which in addition exhibits the features recited in thecharacterising clause of the appended claims 1, 8, 19 and 31, a methodand system for purifying gases which is of the type stated by way ofintroduction and which in addition exhibits the features recited in thecharacterising clause of the appended claims 14 and 46, a method, systemand device for extinguishing fires which is of the type stated by way ofintroduction and which in addition exhibits the features recited in thecharacterising clause of the appended claims 17, 52 and 56. Preferredembodiments of the inventive methods, devices and systems are defined inappended sub claims 2-7, 9-13, 18, 20-30, 32-43, 47-51, 53-55 and 57-58.

One advantage offered by the method according to the present inventionas defined in the characterising clause of anyone of claims 1-5 is thatit facilitates a way of removing slag from the inside of the boilers inboiler houses or the like which is quick, efficient and does not lead toany occupational hazards.

Another advantage offered by the method according to the presentinvention as defined in the characterising clause of anyone of claims1-5 is that it facilitates a way of removing fat from the inside ofexhaust air ducts, such as kitchen ducts or the like, which is quick,efficient and does not lead to any occupational hazards.

Yet another advantage offered by the method according to the presentinvention as defined in the characterising clause of anyone of claims1-5 is that it facilitates a way of removing slag from the inside ofchannels by food manufacturing, such as chocolate channels by chocolatemanufacturing or the like, which is quick and efficient.

A further advantage offered by the method according to the presentinvention as defined in the characterising clause of anyone of claims1-5 is that it facilitates a way of removing soot from the inside ofindustrial chimneys or the like which is quick, efficient and does notlead to any occupational hazards.

A still further advantage offered by the method according to the presentinvention as defined in the characterising clause of anyone of claims1-5 is that it facilitates a way of removing slag from the inside ofcontainers by medicine manufacturing or the like which is quick andefficient.

Another advantage offered by the method according to the presentinvention as defined in the characterising clause of anyone of claims1-5 is that it facilitates a way of removing hard paper pulp from theinside of containers by paper pulp manufacturing or the like which isquick, efficient and does not lead to any occupational hazards.

Yet another advantage offered by the method according to the presentinvention as defined in the characterising clause of anyone of claims1-5 is that it facilitates a way of cleaning drainage systems such ascast iron systems or the like in apartment facilities or the like whichis quick and efficient and at the same time eliminates the risk ofdamaging the pipes.

A further advantage offered by the method according to the presentinvention as defined in the characterising clause of anyone of claims1-5 is that it facilitates a way of clearing oil stuck in pipelines,which is quick and efficient.

A still further advantage offered by the method according to the presentinvention as defined in the characterising clause of anyone of claims1-5 is that it facilitates a way of preventing boring bars to get stuckby drilling in oil wells.

Another advantage offered by the method according to the presentinvention as defined in the characterising clause of anyone of claims1-5 is that it facilitates a way of extracting shale oil in shale oilreserves in an efficient and power saving way.

Yet another advantage offered by the method according to the presentinvention as defined in the characterising clause of anyone of claims1-5 is that it facilitates a way of collecting leaking oil from a sunkor sinking oil tanker in an efficient way.

A further advantage offered by the method according to the presentinvention as defined in the characterising clause of anyone of claims1-5 is that it facilitates a way of collecting the oil from an oilslickin an efficient way.

A further advantage offered by the method according to the presentinvention as defined in the characterising clause of anyone of claims1-7 is that it facilitates a way of heating up rooms such as e.g. housetrailers which is very efficient and environmental friendly.

A still further advantage offered by the method according to the presentinvention as defined in the characterising clause of anyone of claims1-5 is that it facilitates a way of putting out fires which is efficientand avoids water damages in the facility where the fire has been putout.

Advantages offered by the method according to the present invention asdefined in the characterising clause of claim 8 is that it facilitates away of heating which is very efficient, with practically no loss ofenergy, and which leads to substantially no releases of exhaust gases tothe environment.

An advantage offered by the method according to the present invention asdefined in the characterising clause of claim 9 is that filtering ofsaid steam and exhaust gas mixture offers a controlled way of purifyingsaid mixture such that pure water is reused, which means that theprocess can be repeated without adding any impurities.

Advantages offered by the method according to the present invention asdefined in the characterising clause of claims 10 or 11 is that itfacilitates a way of heating buildings which is very efficient, withpractically no loss of energy, and which leads to substantially noreleases of exhaust gases to the environment.

Advantages offered by the method according to the present invention asdefined in the characterising clause of claim 12 or 13 is that itfacilitates a way of producing electricity by means of steam turbineswhich is very efficient, with practically no loss of energy, and whichleads to substantially no releases of exhaust gases to the environment.

Advantages offered by the method according to the present invention asdefined in the characterising clause of claims 14 or 15 is that itfacilitates a way of purifying gases, where said gases may compriseexhaust gases and hot and cold non-combusted gases, which is veryefficient, with practically no loss of energy, and which offers acontrolled way of collecting impurities from said gases, which leads tosubstantially no releases of exhaust gases to the environment, and suchthat pure water may be reused.

An advantage offered by the method according to the present invention asdefined in the characterising clause of anyone of claims 17-18 is thatit facilitates a way of extinguishing fires in oil bore holes, which wayis efficient and avoids damaging said bore holes.

An advantage offered by the device according to the present invention asdefined in the characterising clause of anyone of claims 19-30 is thatit can be used for, in a quick, efficient and safe way, removing slagfrom the inside of the boilers in boiler houses or the like.

Another advantage offered by the device according to the presentinvention as defined in the characterising clause of anyone of claims19-30 is that it can be used for, in a quick, efficient and safe way,removing fat from the inside of exhaust air ducts such as kitchen ductsor the like.

Yet another advantage offered by the device according to the presentinvention as defined in the characterising clause of anyone of claims19-30 is that it can be used for, in a quick and efficient way, removingslag from the inside of channels by food manufacturing such as chocolatechannels by chocolate manufacturing or the like.

A further advantage offered by the device according to the presentinvention as defined in the characterising clause of anyone of claims19-30 is that it can be used for, in a quick, efficient and safe way,removing soot from the inside of industrial chimneys or the like.

A still further advantage offered by the device according to the presentinvention as defined in the characterising clause of anyone of claims19-30 is that it can be used for, in a quick and efficient way, removingslag from the inside of containers by medicine manufacturing or thelike.

Another advantage offered by the device according to the presentinvention as defined in the characterising clause of anyone of claims19-30 is that it can be used for, in a quick, efficient and safe way,removing hard paper pulp from the inside of containers by paper pulpmanufacturing or the like.

Yet another advantage offered by the device according to the presentinvention as defined in the characterising clause of anyone of claims19-30 is that it can be used for, in a quick and efficient way, withoutdamaging the pipes, cleaning drainage systems such as cast iron systemsor the like in apartment facilities or the like.

A further advantage offered by the device according to the presentinvention as defined in the characterising clause of anyone of claims19-30 is that it can be used for, in a quick and efficient way clearingoil stuck in pipelines.

A still further advantage offered by the device according to the presentinvention as defined in the characterising clause of anyone of claims19-30 is that it facilitates a way of preventing boring bars to getstuck by drilling in oil wells.

Another advantage offered by the device according to the presentinvention as defined in the characterising clause of anyone of claims19-30 is that it can be used for in an efficient and power saving wayextracting shale oil in shale oil reserves.

Yet another advantage offered by the device according to the presentinvention as defined in the characterising clause of anyone of claims19-30 is that it can be used for in an efficient way collecting leakingoil from a damaged oil tanker.

A further advantage offered by the device according to the presentinvention as defined in the characterising clause of anyone of claims19-30 is that it can be used for in an efficient way collecting the oilfrom an oilslick.

A further advantage offered by the device according to the presentinvention as defined in the characterising clause of anyone of claims19-30 is that it can be used for in an efficient and environmentfriendly way, heating up rooms such as e.g. a house trailers.

A further advantage offered by the device according to the presentinvention as defined in the characterising clause of anyone of claims19-30 is that it facilitates a way of putting out fires, which way isefficient and avoids water damages in the facility where the fire hasbeen put out.

Advantages offered by the system according to the present invention asdefined in the characterising clause of claim 31-39 is that itfacilitates a way of heating, which is very efficient, with practicallyno loss of energy, and which leads to substantially no releases ofexhaust gases to the environment.

An advantage offered by the method according to the present invention asdefined in the characterising clause of claims 35 or 37 is thatfiltering of said steam and exhaust gas mixture offers a controlled wayof purifying said mixture such that pure water is reused, which meansthat the process can be repeated without adding any impurities.

Advantages offered by the system according to the present invention asdefined in the characterising clause of claims 40 or 41 is that itfacilitates a way of heating buildings, which is very efficient, withpractically no loss of energy, and which leads to substantially noreleases of exhaust gases to the environment

Advantages offered by the system according to the present invention asdefined in the characterising clause of claims 42 or 43 is that itfacilitates a way of producing electricity by means of steam turbines,which is very efficient, with practically no loss of energy, and whichleads to substantially no releases of exhaust gases to the environment.

Advantages offered by the system according to the present invention asdefined in the characterising clause of anyone of claims 46-51 is thatit facilitates a way of purifying gases, where said gases may compriseexhaust gases and hot and cold non-combusted gases, which is veryefficient, with practically no loss of energy, and which offers acontrolled way of collecting impurities from said gases, which leads tosubstantially no releases of exhaust gases to the environment, and suchthat pure water may be reused.

An advantage offered by the system according to the present invention asdefined in the characterising clause of anyone of claims 52-55 is thatit facilitates a way of extinguishing fires in oil bore holes, which wayis efficient and avoids damaging said bore holes.

An advantage offered by the device according to the present invention asdefined in the characterising clause of anyone of claims 56-58 is thatit facilitates a way of extinguishing fires in oil bore holes, which wayis efficient and avoids damaging said bore holes.

These and other advantages of the present invention will be furtherelucidated in the following description.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A better understanding of the present invention will be had upon thereference to the following detailed description when read in conjunctionwith the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference characters referto like parts throughout the several views, and in which:

FIG. 1 a shows a schematic and partly sectional view of a device forheating by means of a gaseous medium comprising steam according to afirst preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 1 b shows a schematic view of a device for heating by means of agaseous medium comprising steam according to a second preferredembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 shows a schematic view of a device for heating by means of agaseous medium comprising steam according to an alternative embodimentof the present invention;

FIG. 3 shows the device in FIG. 2 attached to a channel configuration;

FIG. 4 shows a schematic view of a system for heating by means of agaseous medium comprising steam according to an aspect of the presentinvention;

FIG. 5 shows a preferred application of the system in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 shows an alternative preferred application of the system in FIG.4;

FIG. 7 shows a schematic view of a system for purifying gases accordingto an aspect of the present invention;

FIG. 8 a shows a schematic view of a system for extinguishing fires inoil bore holes according to another aspect of the present invention; and

FIG. 8 b shows a detail of the system in FIG. 8 a.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 a shows a device for heating by means of a gaseous mediumcomprising steam being produced from water, energy for heating the waterbeing provided by burning a fuel, said fuel being a gaseous medium, forexample butane, propane, natural gas or the like, or a liquid medium,for example diesel, oil or the like, or a solid medium, for examplecoal, pellets, peat, oilshale, coke, wood or the like, according to afirst embodiment of the present invention. The device 1 comprises acontainer 2, a burner 3 for burning said fuel, e.g. a gas burner 3,attached to the bottom of said container 2, for introducing heat intosaid container 2, and a water inlet 4 at the lower part of the container2, preferably a pipe 4, for introducing water, and a reducing valve 5connected to the pipe 4, said pipe 4, when located inside the container2, preferably having a helical shape rising upwardly in the container,and a pressure chamber 6 to the upper part of which the pipe 4 isconnected, in which pressure chamber 6 water is intended to beintroduced and boiled. The device further comprises an outlet 7,preferably a pipe 7, in the upper part of the pressure chamber 6, and aninjection chamber 8 to the inner cavity 8 a of which the pipe 7, via asafety valve 9 and a vent passage 10, said valve 9 and passage 10preferably being located outside of the container 2, is connected. Thedevice further comprises an overflow pipe 11 connected to the safetyvalve 9, said pipe extending down back into the lower part of thecontainer where it is arranged to put out the flame from the burner 3.The injection chamber 8 further has an outer cavity 8 b surrounding theinner cavity 8 a, said chamber 8 being attached to the top of thecontainer 2. The device further comprises a flame guard 12, preferably aperforated plate or the like constituting the top of the container 2 andthe bottom of the injection chamber 8. The steam is intended to beintroduced into the inner cavity 8 a of the injection chamber 8 via thepipe 7. The exhaust gas is intended to be introduced into the outer part8 b of the injection chamber 8 via the flame guard 12. The devicefurther comprises a mixing chamber 13 constituting the upper part of theinjection chamber, where steam, via openings 13 a in the inner part 8 aof the injection chamber 8, is intended to be introduced in the outerpart 8 b of the injection chamber 8, and a steam heating hose 14connected to the mixing chamber 13 via an opening 17. The device furthercomprises a drainage pipe 15 attached to the lower part of the innerpart 8 a of the injection chamber 8. The device also comprises a valve16 which is located downstream of valve 10 for extracting steam. Inorder to make the device even more efficient two or more pipe systems 4,preferably helical could be arranged in the container 2.

Water is introduced via the reducing valve 5 and then reaches the burner3. It flows in the helical pipe and is pre-heated and then continues tothe steam pressure chamber 6 where the water starts to boil and reachesa high pressure. The steam created continues to the safety valve 9,where the steam goes right through if not, for some reason a stop hasoccurred. If that is the case an overflow pipe 11 leading down to theburner 3 turns it out. The burner 3 is designed in such a way that ifthe flame goes out a small heat sensor automatically turns off the gasor the corresponding. If the safety valve is not triggered the steamcontinues to a vent passage 10 which functions in such a way that assoon as the steam has entered and reached a certain temperature, at 8bar it is approximately 180°, it opens automatically and lets the steampass through. If, by any circumstance, the burner 3 would not reactproperly the vent passage closes. This is however highly unlikelyconsidering the capacity of the burner 3. The pipe coming from the ventpassage 10 enters directly into the injection chamber 8, which consistsof an inner chamber where the steam is injected and an outer chambersurrounding the inner, where the exhaust gas is introduced. The exhaustgases keep the steam heated already at this stage. The steam rises tothe mixing chamber 13, where steam and exhaust gases are mixed. Theinjection chamber can as an alternative consist of two hoses having acertain desired length depending on the application, one hosesurrounding the other (steam-jacketed) and be injected just before itenters the mixture chamber 8. Condensation can be achieved in such a waythat water flows which the steam can carry flowing down in a drainagepipe 15 and further down in the sink. If the burner 3 would go out thewater is prevented from rising and flowing in to the burner 3. At thetop of the steam generator a flame guard, designed as a perforatedplate, is arranged, as a safety precaution, in such a way that theflames will not be able to rise higher. In addition there is a valve 16located downstream of valve 10 for evacuating steam, so that the devicecan be used for example for cleaning of tanks for medicinemanufacturing, at the end of the cleaning process, when it is desired toget the tank disinfected, by only injecting steam in the tank.Alternatively a two-way valve (not shown) could be connected to theinjection chamber in such a way that the exhaust gas could be evacuatedvia this valve so that only steam is used in the end of a process asdescribed above. In this way hotter steam can be achieved. There is alsoa steam heating hose 14, connected to the opening 17, provided fortransporting the steam and exhaust gas mixture.

When the exhaust gases are injected into the steam they are intended forheating up desired cavities whereas the steam in the mixture is intendedto loosen up the slag or the like on the surfaces in the cavity. Duringthe process the steam, as it is mixed with the exhaust gases, preventsfrom fire due to heating by the exhaust gases. When the exhaust gases inthe mixture have heated the cavity to the desired operating temperature,the steam in the mixture starts loosening up the slag on the surfaceswhile at the same time the exhaust gases keep the surfaces heated. Thus,the exhaust gases transports the steam and keeps it warm in an efficientway. This results in a very high efficiency, with practically no loss ofenergy.

FIG. 1 b shows schematic view of a device 1′ for heating by means of agaseous medium comprising steam according to a second preferredembodiment of the present invention, where the burner is located insidethe container at the top. The device comprises the same features as thedevice 1 according to FIG. 1 a and functions in the same way. It onlydiffers in that the burner is located at the top. An advantage byarranging the burner at the top as shown in the device according to FIG.1 b is that, when operated, the burner 3 of the device is arranged toforce the exhaust gas down before it returns and enters the injectionchamber 8, which means that the water/steam in the pipe configurationreceives heat from said exhaust gas on its way down in the container 2and by returning through the container 2 into said injection chamber,which means that the device becomes more efficient.

FIG. 2 shows a device for heating by means of a gaseous mediumcomprising steam according to an alternative embodiment of the presentinvention. The device comprises a container 20 having an air inlet 21, agas inlet 22, a water inlet 23, a steam outlet 24, an exhaust gas outlet25 and an outlet 26 for the steam and exhaust gas mixture, and a burner3, for burning a fuel, for example combustion gases, located inside thecontainer 20. The burner 3 is intended to be supplied with air throughthe air inlet 21, preferably from a fan, and with combustible gas suchas propane, butane, natural gas or the like through the gas inlet 22.The air inlet 21 and the gas inlet 22 are arranged in such a way thatthe air is mixed with the gas, which is ignited whereby a gas flameappears. The water inlet 23 is arranged in such a way that the water fedthrough the water inlet 23, which preferably is a pipe shaped as aspiral inside the container 20, is heated by means of the burner 3 tosteam-generating heat. The steam outlet 24 and the exhaust gas outlet 25are arranged in such a way that they form a common cavity 26 where steamformed from the heated water in the spiral and exhaust gas produced fromburning the combustion gases are intended to be mixed and further beintroduced into a cavity, such as a ventilating duct, through the outlet27.

FIG. 3 shows an example of an application according to the invention,using the device in FIG. 2, where the mixture of exhaust gas and steamis introduced from the outlet 27 into the entire length of a channel 30such as a ventilating duct 30 starting from the bottom and out throughthe upper part of the ventilating duct 30 by means of automaticallyheating controlled exhaust valves 31. The mixture of exhaust gas andsteam heats the inside of the ventilating duct from 10°-90° with amixture of steam and exhaust gas of 140°-200°, which melts theimpurities 32 such as fat and oil deposits 32 on the inside of theventilation duct 30. The melted fat and oil deposits 32 flows due totheir own weight down to the bottom of the ventilating duct to the pipefor runoff of fat and oil to a collecting vessel 33 for fat separation,where fat and oil are cooled and transforms into solid state and caneasily be disposed of.

Steam, which is cooled in the process, reverts, i.e. is condensed towater and flows back in the lowest part of the ventilating duct and iscollected in the collecting vessel 33 ready to be removed after havingfinalised the cleaning of the ventilating duct.

During the process the mixture is risingly led to the top of the channelwhere preferably a temperature regulated valve 31 is located. The valve31 is arranged to be controlled by temperature in such a way that theinner sides of the ventilating duct 30 are supplied with a proper amountof exhaust gas and steam for reaching a temperature for melting theimpurities consisting of fat, oils mixed with dust, soot and slagparticles, which are stuck on the inner sides of the ventilating duct30. The control of the valve 31 is designed in such a way that the gasand steam mixture is maximally used for the cleaning of the channelregarding supplied energy.

As implied above the exhaust channel can be a ventilating duct such as akitchen duct, or a chimney or the like. The device according to theinvention, however, facilitates introducing the mixture into any kind ofcavity, where the cavity apart from an exhaust channel can be e.g. atank; drainage system; chimney; boiler; pipeline; oil container; oilwell; oil shale; oilslick or the like. Different applications of theinvention will be further elucidated below.

The device according to the present invention can thus in anotherapplication be used for, in a quick, efficient and safe way, removingslag from the inside of the boilers in boiler houses or the like.

The device can in a further application as mentioned above be used for,in a quick, efficient and safe way, removing fat from the inside ofexhaust air ducts such as kitchen ducts or the like. By introducing thesteam and exhaust gas mixture into the channel the fat becomes as looseas cooking oil, floats down and is collected in a container at thebottom. The fat is then preferably cooled down and becomes hard, and caneasily be removed. This is explained further above.

The device can in a further application be used for, in a quick andefficient way, removing slag from the inside of channels by foodmanufacturing such as chocolate channels by chocolate manufacturing orthe like. By introducing the steam and exhaust gas mixture into thechannel the slag products are liquefied and can be removed. This is byway of example. The invention can of course be used in any cavity wherefat, for example vegetable fat, is present.

The device can in a further application be used for, in a quick,efficient and safe way, removing soot from the inside of industrialchimneys or the like. The top of the chimney is sealed. The mixture witha suitable temperature is then introduced. By the heat the soot becomesheavy and falls down, is shoved together and can then easily be removedby transport.

The device can in a further application be used for, in a quick andefficient way, removing slag from the inside of tanks by medicinemanufacturing or the like which is quick and efficient. By introducingthe mixture at preferably 125-140° the slag products are removed and thetank is disinfected and ready for use. In order to get the tank fullydisinfected only steam is injected at the end, or alternatively theexhaust gases are diverted at the end such that only steam is released.This can also be done with a petroleum tank, which then eliminates therisk of fire.

The device can in a further application be used for, in a quick,efficient and safe way, removing hard paper pulp from the inside ofcontainers by paper pulp manufacturing or the like. By introducing themixture in the container the hard paper pulp stuck on walls is loosenedup by the heat and can easily be removed such that the container againis ready for use.

The device can in a further application be used for, in a quick andefficient way, without damaging the pipes, cleaning drainage systemssuch as cast iron systems or the like in apartment buildings or thelike. By introducing the steam and exhaust gas mixture into the pipesthey are cleaned very efficiently without any risk of being damaged inthe process. One way of doing this is to attach a pipe tee to theoutgoing pipes, presumably located in the basement, then connecting thedevice for producing the mixture, and then, using the temperatureregulator on the roof, introducing the steam and exhaust gas mixture,heating the drainage and consequently the fat without pressure floatsdown into a collecting barrel or the like.

The device can in a further application be used for, in a quick andefficient way clearing oil stuck in pipelines. By introducing themixture in the pipelines the oil stuck in the pipelines is cleared. Howbig a section of the pipeline that can be cleared depends on the size ofthe gas burner or the like. Theoretically a section of up to onekilometre could be cleared. One way of practically doing this is to usetrucks for accessing the pipelines, onto which trucks the mixture deviceand a water container are arranged.

The device can in a further application be used for, in a quick andefficient way preventing boring bars to get stuck by drilling in oilwells. The boring bars get stuck because of the oil being cooled downdue to the thermal rising force from the geothermal heat, i.e. hot air,which when moving at high speed gives a cooling effect. By introducingthe steam and exhaust gas mixture into the ground the oil is preventedfrom being cooled down and thus the risk of the boring bars gettingstuck is eliminated.

The device can in a further application be used for in an efficient andpower saving way extracting shale oil in shale oil reserves. The shaleoil lies under ground as bitumen. Instead of introducing steam in orderto liquefy the bitumen, requiring a lot of power, the steam and exhaustgas mixture is introduced, requiring much less power. The presence ofbitumen lies in many cases under natural gas reserves, and thus in thesecases by combusting the natural gas, it can then be mixed with steam forproducing the steam and exhaust gas mixture. The combustion gas is thusin these cases “free of charge”.

The device can in a further application be used for in an efficient waycollecting the oil from a sunk or sinking oil tanker. In the case ofsinking oil tankers the water is usually so cold that the oil startssinking to the bottom. By introducing the mixture into the oilcompartment in the sinking oil tanker via hoses and heat up the oil, itcan easily be retrieved.

The device can in a further application be used for in an efficient waycollecting the oil from an oilslick. By covering the oilslick with ablanket or the like, and the introducing the steam and exhaust gasmixture under the blanket and into the oilslick, the oil is heated andbecomes more liquid. The temperature of the oil is preserved by theblanket, and thus the liquid oil can easily be sucked up.

FIG. 4 shows a system for heating by means of a gaseous mediumcomprising steam according to an aspect of the present invention. Thesystem 50 comprises an arrangement 200 for mixing steam with exhaust gasfrom combustion of a fuel, where said fuel is constituted by a gaseousmedium, for example butane, propane, natural gas or the like, or aliquid medium, for example diesel, oil or the like, or a solid medium,for example coal, pellets, peat, oilshale, coke, wood or the like, or amixture thereof, and where said arrangement is intended to comprise anykind of unit, device, system, process plant, factory, engine or the likeintended for burning a fuel, for example a gas burner, an oil burner, aturbine, a combustion engine, piston engine, an incinerator or the likeincluding the device 1, 1′ according to FIG. 1 a, 1 b, 2 or similar. Thesystem 50 further comprises a heat exchanger 51 connected via a firstopening 52 a thereof to the outlet of the device 200. Preferably a fan53 is arranged between the outlet of the device and the first opening 52a of the heat exchanger 51 in order to build up pressure when desired.Said heat exchanger 51 further comprises an inlet 54 and an outlet 55,into which inlet 54 e.g. tap water is arranged to be introduced throughe.g. a pipe 56, said pipe 56 being arranged within the heat exchangerand runs through the inside thereof to said outlet, the pipe 56preferably having a helical form inside the heat exchanger 51, in orderto optimize exchange of heat. The system further comprises a passage 57a which is connected to a second opening 52 b of the heat exchanger 51,for discharging light impurities, for example CO₂ through said passage57 a, and a condensation pipe 57 b which is connected to a drainage 58of the heat exchanger 51 for discharging the condensed mixture includingheavy impurities and part of the light impurities, said drainage 58being located in the lower part of the heat exchanger 51, thecondensation pipe 57 b having a certain inclination leading downwardlyto a substantially vertical pipe configuration 59 to which it isconnected, said pipe configuration 59 extending above the level of thecondensation pipe 57 b. By light impurities is meant all compounds,particles or the like produced by burning any kind of fuel which arelight such that they will escape from said condensed mixture, and byheavy impurities is meant all compounds, particles or the like whichremains in the condensed mixture, for example CO₂. The system 50 alsocomprises a collecting vessel 60 for receiving light impurities, forexample CO₂, connected to said passage 57 a and said pipe configuration59, located at the top of the pipe configuration 59. The system 50further comprises a water filter 61 arranged within the pipeconfiguration 59 at a level below the condensation chamber 57, anaccumulator tank 62 connected to the pipe configuration downstream ofthe water filter 61, and a circulation pump 63 connected to the pipeconfiguration 59, said pump 63 being arranged to circulate the water andforce the water back to the device 200.

When operated tap water of a temperature of e.g. 6° C. is introducedinto the arrangement 200 through the pipe 4 and the water is heated to adesired steam temperature and the achieved steam is mixed with theexhaust gases for example in a manner as described above in conjunctionwith FIG. 1 a. The mixture is then introduced into the heat exchanger 51through the opening 52 a, where the fan 53 is arranged to build up adesired pressure of the mixture. Normally the system 50 would alsofunction without the fan 53. Water of e.g. 6° C., is introduced via theinlet 54 of the heat exchanger, which runs through the pipe 56 to theoutlet 55. The water in the pipe 56 present within the heat exchanger 51is heated up by means of the hot mixture of exhaust gas and steam, whichmixture then at the same time is cooled by the water in the pipe 56 andeventually condenses. The condensed mixture flows by means of gravitydown through the drainage 58 at the bottom of the heat exchanger,through the condensation pipe 57 b and into the pipe configuration 59.Light impurities, for example CO₂, are released through the secondopening 52 b and are collected in the collecting tank 60. In the pipeconfiguration, light impurities, e.g. CO₂, which follow the condensedmixture through the condensation pipe 57 b to the rises up through thepipe configuration 59 and are also collected in the collecting vessel60, and heavy impurities flow down with the water to the water filter61, e.g. active coal or the like, which collects the heavy impurities.The filtered pure water is then introduced into the accumulator tank 62in order to avoid the system 50 running empty. The circulation pump 63,preferably located downstream of the accumulator tank 62, pumps thewater back into the device 200, the temperature of the water now beingof substantially higher temperature compared to when initiallyintroduced into said device, which consequently means that less energyis required to heat up the water for a second time. The process is thenrepeated.

In this way a closed system is achieved, which reuses the water,collects light impurities, for example CO₂, and heavy impurities so thatthere is no release to the environment, and which has a very highefficiency. Through the outlet 55 of the heat exchanger 51 hot water orsteam of a desired temperature, the outlet temperature of the hot wateror steam depending on the temperature of the steam and exhaust gasmixture, can be retrieved, which can be used for heating purposes asdescribed below.

FIG. 5 shows an aspect of the present invention where the above systemis applied to a central boiler plant, which supplies district heating tobuildings and the like. By applying the system to e.g. a central boilerplant, approximately 30-50% less effect, the efficiency depending forexample on the efficiency of conventional apparatus comprised in saidsystem and on the efficiency of e.g. the central boiler plant, would berequired to receive the same amount of energy. The system is preferablyconnected in such a way that the outlet 55 of the heat exchanger 51 ofsaid system 50 is connected to at least one unit 64, preferably acentral boiler plant 64, a heat exchanger or the like, into which hotwater of e.g. 120-140° C. is introduced. The central boiler plant 64then in a conventional manner supplies heat to buildings 67 or the like,i.e. the hot water flowing through the central boiler plant 64 is cooledand has a temperature of e.g. 110° C. leaving said second heatexchanger. The hot water is then supplied to the radiator systems ofhouses 67 via pipes 68. Tap water is at the same time introduced intothe inlet 65, and the heated water is then supplied from the outlet tothe pipe systems for supplying hot water to the taps and showers of thehouses 67. The return water, preferably having a low temperature, isthen reintroduced into the inlet 54 of the heat exchanger 51, and theprocess starts all over.

Instead of applying the system to a central boiler plant it could beapplied to each separate building, or to a number of buildings, suchthat each building or number of buildings has its own system forheating. In this case devices requiring less power are needed, and theheat does not have to be transported such a long way as in the exampleabove.

The above system can consequently be used for, in an efficient way,heating up rooms such as e.g. house trailers. As described above thesteam and exhaust mixture is introduced into a heat exchanger. The steamrises and heats the water in the heat exchanger until the steam has beencooled down to the temperature where condensation occurs. The steamflows down again and the process starts all over. By cooling the exhaustgases in the form of accumulated water below the dew point it flows downagain. The old exhaust gases are filtered via water filters such thatthey can be re-used, i.e. no exhaust opening such as a chimney or thelike is needed, and consequently no exhaust gases are released to theenvironment. Instead of using e.g. water with a temperature of e.g. 6°C., water with a temperature of e.g. 20° C. is received. Therefore, asit is a closed system, the heating process becomes faster. A very hightemperature difference (ΔT) is achieved. By filtering in e.g. normalactive coal pure water is provided again.

FIG. 6 also shows another aspect of the present invention where theabove system is applied to a steam turbine 70. As an example the steamand exhaust gas mixture is by means of heating given a temperature ofapproximately 700° C., which mixture is introduced in the first heatexchanger 51. In the system 50, steam having a temperature ofapproximately 600-680° C. and a pressure of approximately 200-250 bar,is then taken out from the outlet 55 of the first heat exchanger 51 andis introduced into a steam turbine 70, which is used in a conventionalway for the production of electrical power 72. A second heat exchanger71 or the like is connected to the turbine 70 such that steam from theturbine 70 is intended to be introduced into said second heat exchanger71. Tap water is run through the heat exchanger via an inlet 74 and anoutlet 75, where the heated water retrieved from the outlet may be usedfor heating purposes. The steam introduced in the heat exchanger iscooled by means of the tap water, and the cooled water is returned via areturn pipe 73 to the inlet 54 of the first heat exchanger 51, and theprocess starts all over.

FIG. 7 shows system 80 for purification according to still anotheraspect of the present invention. The system comprises an arrangement 200for mixing steam with exhaust gas from combustion of a fuel, where saidfuel is constituted by a gaseous medium, for example butane, propane,natural gas or the like, or a liquid medium, for example diesel, oil orthe like, or a solid medium, for example coal, pellets or the like, or amixture thereof, and where said arrangement comprises at least one firstunit 81 which is constituted by any kind of device, system, processplant, factory, engine or the like intended for burning a fuel, forexample a gas burner an oil burner, a turbine, a boiler, a combustionengine, i.e. a car engine, a boat motor, a piston engine, an incineratoror the like including the device 1, 1′ according to FIG. 1 a, 1 b, 2 orsimilar. The system 80 further comprises a passage 82 connected to saidfirst unit 81, through which passage 82 exhaust gas flows, a pipeconfiguration 83 through which steam, preferably produced from heatingwater by means of heat from said unit 81, e.g. from said exhaust gases,flows, a chamber 84 to which both the exhaust gas passage 82 and thesteam pipe 83 are connected, in which chamber 84 the steam is injectedand mixed with the exhaust gas such that a mixture 100 is achieved. Thesystem also preferably comprises at least one second unit 85 which isconstituted by any kind of device, system, process plant, factory or thelike discharging non-combusted gases of any kind, for example from paintor other chemical compounds, said unit being connected to a passage 95through which the non-combusted gases are intended to flow. The systemfurther comprises a second chamber 96 into which the steam and exhaustgas mixture is intended to be introduced via a passage 94, and intowhich said non-combusted gases are intended to be introduced via saidpassage 95 such that a mixture 150 is achieved. The non-combusted gasesare intended to be mixed with the steam and exhaust gas mixture 100 insaid second chamber 96. The system still further comprises a heatexchanger 87 into which the steam, exhaust gas and non-combusted gasmixture is intended to be introduced and cooled down. The system 80 alsocomprises, similar to the system of FIG. 4 a passage 88 a which isconnected to an opening 89 a of the heat exchanger 87, for discharginglight impurities, for example CO₂ through said passage 88 a, and acondensation pipe 88 b which is connected to a drainage opening 89 b ofthe heat exchanger 87 for discharging the condensed mixture includingheavy impurities and part of the light impurities, said drainage opening89 b being located in the lower part of the heat exchanger 87, thecondensation pipe 88 b having a certain inclination leading downwardlyto a substantially vertical pipe configuration 93 to which it isconnected, said pipe configuration 93 extending above the level of thecondensation pipe 88 b. The system 80 further comprises, as in thesystem 50 of FIG. 4, a collecting vessel 90 for receiving lightimpurities, for example CO₂ located at the top of the pipe configuration89, a water filter 91 arranged within the pipe configuration 89 at alevel below the heat exchanger 87, and a circulation pump 92 connectedto the pipe configuration 89, said pump 92 being arranged to circulatethe water and force the water back to the unit 80, where it can bereused.

In this way chimneys in factories or the like become obsolete andpractically no exhaust gases or non-combusted gases are discharged intothe environment. Light impurities, for example CO₂ is further taken careof in a controlled manner.

The heat exchanger 87 further comprises an inlet 98 and an outlet 99,into which inlet 98 tap water is intended to be introduced. The hotwater or steam leaving the outlet 99 can be used for heating purposesaccording to for example the examples shown in FIG. 5 or 6.

The system 80 may of course be used for purifying only exhaust gaseswhich for example can be achieved if the unit 85 constitutes any kind ofdevice, system, process plant, factory or the like discharging exhaustgases of any kind, or simply by disconnecting the unit 85. In thesecases the mixture in the chamber 96 is constituted by the steam andexhaust gas mixture 100.

The device can in a further application be used for in an efficient wayput out fires. The device facilitates, by mixing steam with exhaust gas,achieving dry, saturated steam/exhaust gas mixture having a low pressureand a temperature of e.g. 300-400° C., which gives ideal characteristicsfor extinguishing fires. By introducing the steam from the device fromunderneath, the core of the fire is reached without getting in contactwith the flames. The fire is then put out from underneath and the oxygenis taken away at the same time as it moistens all the surfaces. Either aperforated hose is used which is unrolled in the floor underneath, oralternatively a hose is harpooned or similar into the floor being onfire.

FIG. 8 a shows a system 110 for extinguishing fires which occurs by oildrilling, and FIG. 8 b shows a detail of said system. The system 110comprises a steam jacketed casing pipe configuration 111, comprising aninner casing 112 and an outer casing 113, which pipe configuration 111is intended to be closely received in a bore hole, said pipeconfiguration 111 having a length of preferably 2-20 metres, morepreferably 5-10 metres. The outer casing 113 of said pipe configuration111 is substantially cylindrical, and preferably has a larger diameterthan a normal boring hole, which means that the diameter of the boringhole should have a diameter, which is sufficiently wide to receive thesteam jacketed casing pipe configuration 111, along the length thereof.The outer casing 113 and the inner casing 112 of the pipe configuration111 form chambers 114 axially provided along the pipe configuration 111.The chambers 114 are axially connected via openings 115, said openings115 having a diameter slightly larger than the diameter of the bore. Theinner casing 112 comprises openings 117 into each chamber. The system110 further comprises an arrangement 200 for mixing steam with exhaustgas from combustion of a fuel, where said fuel is constituted by agaseous medium, for example butane, propane, natural gas or the like, ora liquid medium, for example diesel, oil or the like, or a solid medium,for example coal, pellets or the like, or a mixture thereof, where saidarrangement may constitute the device 1 according to FIG. 1 a or 1 b orsimilar device for mixing steam and exhaust gas. The dry, saturated,steam and exhaust gas mixture is intended to be introduced from the topof the pipe configuration into the cavity 116 between the inner and theouter casing and forced down by pressure means to the bottom of saidpipe configuration. The mixture is arranged to flow through the openings117 into each chamber 114.

When there is a fire in the bore hole a steam and exhaust gas mixture100 is, by means of pressure, introduced into said cavity from the topof said pipe configuration, said pressure being achieved by means of forexample a fan or the like, where said pressure is higher than thepressure of the inflammable gas coming up through the bore hole, suchthat said mixture 100 enters, through the openings 117, each chamber114, in which chambers the steam binds said inflammable gas. Due to thedry, saturated steam and exhaust gas mixture the fire is thenextinguished and the mixture also prevents a new fire to begin. In thisway no damage to the bore hole is caused. The pressure of theinflammable gas coming up through the bore hole can easily be measuredwith any kind of suitable pressure detecting means.

Above the invention has been described in connection with preferredembodiments. Of course further embodiments as well as minor changes andadditions may be imagined without deserting the basic inventive idea.

The above mentioned applications of the invention are only examples.There are of course other areas where the invention offers advantages.In the oil industry, apart from what is mentioned above, also, forexample, cleaning of oil tanks and cleaning of the ventilating ductsleading the oil mist away for the refining. In the marine industry,cleaning of heat exchange systems, cleaning of exhaust gaschannels/chimneys from engines etc., cleaning of drainage systems inthere entire length, cleaning of tanks from oil, disposals and nightsoil, and cleaning of kitchen ducts from restaurant kitchens, areexamples of applications. In the food industry cleaning and disinfectionof preparation vessels, cleaning of ducts, and cleaning of productionlines etc. Manufacturing of medicine is as mentioned cleaning anddisinfection of preparation tanks. In building facilities for example,thawing of down pipes and spouts during winter season and as mentionedcleaning of drainage pipes. In paper pulp industry, cleaning of exhaustair duct systems is another application. In areas where todayconventional steam engines are used, as e.g. thawing of road culverts,street gullies, water and drainage pipes, bore holes, casting mouldsetc. Other areas are hardening of concrete during the winter season,heating of large PVC pipes and many others.

Where temperatures, pressures, efficiencies are mentioned they have beenincluded for the purpose of increasing the intelligibility of theapplication and are only examples and do consequently not have anylimiting effect on the interpretation of each element.

Where technical features mentioned in any claim are followed byreference signs, those reference signs have been included for the solepurpose of increasing the intelligibility of the claims and accordingly,such reference signs do not have any limiting effect on theinterpretation of each element identified by way of example by suchreference signs.

1. A method for heating by means of a gaseous medium comprising steam,said steam being produced from water, energy for heating the water beingprovided by burning a fuel, the method comprising the steps of: mixingthe steam with exhaust gas from combustion of said fuel; and using saidmixture for heating purposes.
 2. A method according to claim 1, whereinsaid fuel is a gaseous medium, for example butane, propane, natural gasor the like, or a liquid medium, for example diesel, oil or the like, ora solid medium, for example coal, pellets, peat, oilshale, coke, wood orthe like.
 3. A method according to claim 1, wherein the step ofintroducing said mixture into a cavity for heating.
 4. A methodaccording to claim 3, wherein said cavity constitutes anyone of thefollowing: exhaust channel; tank; drainage system; chimney; boiler;pipeline; oil container; oil well; oil shale; oilslick, oil tanks,ventilating duct, heat exchanger system, preparation vessels, down pipeand spout, exhaust air system, cavity on fire, road culverts, streetgullies, water and drainage pipes, bore holes, casting moulds, PVC pipesor the like.
 5. A method according to claim 1, wherein the step ofregulating the temperature of said mixture.
 6. A method according toclaim 1, further comprises the steps of: exchanging heat between saidmixture and cool water, such that the water is heated to a desired wateror steam temperature and said mixture is cooled to the condensingtemperature; using the heated water for heating purposes; and reusingthe condensed mixture to repeat the above steps.
 7. A method accordingto claim 6, further comprises the step of filtering the condensedmixture prior to reusing it;
 8. A method for heating by means of agaseous medium comprising steam, said steam being produced from water,energy for heating the water being provided by burning a fuel,comprising the steps of: mixing the steam with exhaust gas fromcombustion of said fuel; exchanging heat between said mixture and coolwater, such that the water is heated to a desired water or steamtemperature and said mixture is cooled to the condensing temperature;using the heated water for heating purposes; and reusing the condensedmixture to repeat the above steps.
 9. A method according to claim 8,comprising the further step of filtering the condensed mixture prior toreusing it.
 10. A method according to claim 8, comprising the furtherstep of supplying said hot water to buildings or the like for heatingpurposes.
 11. A method according to claim 8, comprising the furthersteps of: prior to supplying said heated water to buildings exchangingheat between the heated water and cool water such that the cool water isheated up to a desired tap water temperature for hot water and theheated water is cooled down slightly to a desired temperature forsupplying radiator systems; supplying said hot tap water to the tapwater system of buildings or the like and supplying said hot radiatorwater to the radiator system of said buildings; and retrieving the coolreturn water from said buildings for exchanging of heat with the hotsteam and exhaust gas mixture.
 12. A method according to claim 8,comprising the further step of introducing said steam into a steamturbine for the production of electricity;
 13. A method according toclaim 8, comprising the further step of exchanging heat between steamfrom said turbine and cool water such that the steam is condensed towater and returning the water for exchanging of heat with the hot steamand exhaust gas mixture.
 14. A method for purifying gases, said gasescomprising non-combusted gases and/or exhaust gases, comprising thesteps of: producing steam by heating water by means of burning a fuel;mixing the steam with exhaust gas from combustion of said fuel; mixingsaid gases with the steam and exhaust gas mixture; cooling the mixtureto the condensation temperature; and filtering the liquid mixture.
 15. Amethod according to claim 14, comprising the further step of collectinglight impurities, for example CO₂.
 16. A process for using steamproduced according to claim 1, for fire fighting.
 17. A method forextinguishing fires in oil bore holes, comprising the steps of:producing steam by heating water by means of burning a fuel; mixing thesteam with exhaust gas from combustion of said fuel, said mixturepreferably being dry and saturated and having a low pressure and atemperature of preferably 300-400° C.; introducing the mixture into thebore hole to be mixed with inflammable gas;
 18. A method according toclaim 17, comprising the further step of introducing said mixture intothe inflammable gas in a pulsed way
 19. A device for heating by means ofa gaseous medium comprising steam, said steam being produced from water,energy for heating the water being provided by burning a fuel, whereinan arrangement (1, 1′, 200) for mixing the steam with exhaust gas fromcombustion of said fuel.
 20. A device according to claim 19, whereinsaid fuel is a gaseous medium, for example butane, propane, natural gasor the like, or a liquid medium, for example diesel, oil or the like, ora solid medium, for example coal, pellets, peat, oilshale, coke, wood orthe like.
 21. A device according to claim 19, comprising a cavity forintroducing said mixture into for heating.
 22. A device according toclaim 19, wherein said cavity constitutes any one of the following:exhaust channel; tank; drainage system; chimney; boiler; pipeline; oilcontainer; oil well; oil shale; oilslick, oil tanks, ventilating duct,heat exchanger system, preparation vessels, down pipe and spout, exhaustair system, cavity on fire, road culverts, street gullies, water anddrainage pipes, bore holes, casting moulds, and PVC pipes or the like.23. A device according to claim 21, wherein the device comprises acontainer (2, 20), at least one pipe system (4, 23) arranged in saidcontainer (2, 20) for introducing water and for extracting steam fromsaid container (2, 20) and a burner (3) for heating water and steam insaid pipe system and means for extracting exhaust gases from combustionby means of said burner (3) and means for mixing said steam and saidexhaust gases.
 24. A device according to claim 23, wherein a pressurechamber is provided from which steam is extracted.
 25. A deviceaccording to claim 23, wherein said steam and said exhaust gases aremixed in said cavity.
 26. A device according to claim 23, wherein aninjection chamber is arranged upstream in relation to the mixing chambercomprising a separate cavity for said steam and a separate cavity forsaid exhaust gases, said steam being heatable by said exhaust gases insaid injection chamber.
 27. A device according to claim 26, wherein theinjection chamber having an inner cavity for said steam and an outercavity for said exhaust gases, said cavities preferably beingconcentrically arranged.
 28. A device according to claim 26, whereinsaid injection chamber comprises means for extracting steam unmixed withexhaust gases.
 29. A device according to claim 23, wherein steam isextracted via a safety valve and a vent passage.
 30. A device accordingto claim 19, wherein means for regulating the temperature of themixture.
 31. A system for heating by means of a gaseous mediumcomprising steam, said steam being produced from water, energy forheating the water being provided by burning a fuel, wherein said system(50) comprises an arrangement (1, 1′, 200) for mixing the steam withexhaust gas from combustion of said fuel, a heat exchanging means (51),for example a heat exchanger, into which said mixture is arranged to beintroduced, condensation means for condensing the mixture, and means forre-using the liquid mixture.
 32. A system according to claim 31, whereinsaid means for re-using the liquid mixture comprises a pipeconfiguration (59) for transporting the liquid mixture back to saidarrangement (1, 1′, 200).
 33. A system according to claim 31, whereinthe system further comprises circulation means (63) for example acirculation pump connected to said pipe configuration (59).
 34. A systemaccording to claim 31, wherein said fuel is a gaseous medium, forexample butane, propane, natural gas or the like, or a liquid medium,for example diesel, oil or the like, or a solid medium, for examplecoal, pellets, peat, oilshale, coke, wood or the like.
 35. A systemaccording to claim 31, wherein said system further comprises filteringmeans (60, 61) for filtering said mixture arranged downstream of saidcondensation means
 36. A system according to claim 35, wherein saidsystem further comprises an accumulator tank (62) for accumulating thefiltered water arranged downstream of the filtering means (61).
 37. Asystem according to claim 35, wherein said filtering means comprises awater filter (61), for example active coal, for filtering heavyimpurities in the liquid mixture arranged in said pipe configuration(59) downstream of said condensation means, and a collecting vessel (60)for collecting light impurities, for example CO₂.
 38. A system accordingto claim 31, wherein said heat exchanging means (51) comprises anopening (52 a) connected to the opening (17) of said arrangement, aninlet (54) for introducing tap water, an outlet (55) for extracting hotwater or steam and a drainage opening (58 a) for draining the condensedmixture, connected to a condensation pipe (57 b) and preferably anopening (52 b) for extracting light impurities.
 39. A system accordingto claim 31, wherein said arrangement (1, 1′, 200) is intended tocomprise any kind of unit, device, system, process plant, factory,engine or the like intended for burning a fuel, for example a gasburner, an oil burner, a turbine, a combustion engine, piston engine, anincinerator or the like.
 40. A system according to claim 31, whereinsaid system further comprises at least one second heat exchanging means(64), for example a central boiler plant or a heat exchanger, into whichhot water from the outlet (55) of the heat exchanger (51) is arranged tobe introduced and exchange of heat between said hot water and cool wateris arranged to be achieved.
 41. A system according to claim 40, whereinsaid second heat exchanging means (64) comprises a first opening (55 b)connected to the outlet (55) of said heat exchanger (51) intended forreceiving hot water from said outlet (55), an inlet (65) intended forintroducing cool tap water, an outlet (66) intended for extracting hotwater, said outlet preferably being connected to the tap water system ofat least one building via a pipe configuration (66 b) intended fortransporting hot tap water to said system, and a second opening (68)intended for extracting said received hot water, said second opening(68) preferably being connected to the radiator system (68 b) of said atleast one building
 42. A system according to claim 31, wherein saidsystem further comprises at least one steam turbine (70) into which hotsteam from the outlet (55) of the heat exchanger (51) is arranged to beintroduced, said turbine (70) being intended for the production ofelectricity (72).
 43. A system according to claim 42, wherein saidsystem further comprises a third heat exchanging means (71), for examplea heat exchanger, into which steam from the turbine (70) is arranged tobe introduced and exchange of heat between said steam and cool water isarranged to be achieved, such that said steam is cooled down to water,and is arranged to be returned to the first heat exchanger (51).
 44. Thesystem according to claim 31, implemented for use in heating upbuildings
 45. The system according to claim 31, implemented for use insupplying steam to a steam turbine for the production of electricity.46. A system for purifying gases, said gases comprising non-combustedgases and/or exhaust gases, wherein said system comprises; anarrangement (1, 1′, 200) for mixing steam, said steam being producedfrom water, energy for heating the water being intended to be providedby burning a fuel, with exhaust gas from combustion of said fuel; means(96) for mixing said gases with the steam and exhaust gas mixture (100);condensation means (87) for condensing the mixture (150), filteringmeans (90, 91) arranged downstream of said condensation means forfiltering said liquid mixture; means for re-using the purified water.47. A system according to claim 46, wherein said means for re-using theliquid mixture comprises a pipe configuration (93) for transporting saidmixture, connected to said arrangement (1, 1′, 200).
 48. A systemaccording to claim 46, wherein the system further comprises circulationmeans (92), for example a circulation pump, connected to said pipeconfiguration.
 49. A system according to claim 47, wherein saidfiltering means comprises a water filter (91), for example active coal,for filtering heavy impurities in the liquid mixture arranged in saidpipe configuration (93) downstream of said condensation means (87), anda collecting vessel (90) for collecting light impurities, for exampleCO₂, preferably arranged above the level of the condensation means. 50.A system according to claim 46, wherein said arrangement (1, 1′, 200) isintended to comprise any kind of unit, device, system, process plant,factory, engine or the like (81) intended for burning a fuel, forexample a gas burner, an oil burner, a turbine, a combustion engine,piston engine, an incinerator or the like.
 51. A system according toclaim 46, wherein said system comprises a unit (85) which is intended tocomprise any kind of device, system, process plant, factory, engine orthe like discharging non-combusted hot or cold gases, said gases beingarranged to be introduced into a chamber (96) in which they are arrangedto be mixed with said steam and exhaust gas mixture (100).
 52. A systemfor extinguishing fires in oil bore holes or the like, said holes beingcreated with oil bores by oil drilling, wherein said system (110)comprises; an arrangement (1, 1′, 200) for mixing steam, said steambeing produced from water, energy for heating the water being intendedto be provided by burning a fuel, with exhaust gas from combustion ofsaid fuel, said mixture (100) being intended to be introduced into saidoil bore hole when a fire occurs in said hole.
 53. A system according toclaim 52, wherein said system further comprises a pipe configuration(111) intended to be closely received in an oil bore hole, said pipeconfiguration (111) comprising a substantially cylindrical outer casing(113) and an inner casing (112), between which casings a cavity (116) isformed, into which cavity (116) the mixture (100) is intended to beintroduced by means of pressure, said inner casing (112) comprisingopenings (117) axially provided along the pipe configuration (111). 54.A system according to claims 52, wherein the inner casing (112) of thepipe configuration (111) form chambers (114) axially provided along thepipe configuration (111), said chambers (114) being axially connected toeach other via openings (115).
 55. A system according to claim 52,wherein said arrangement (1, 1′, 200) is intended to comprise any kindof unit, device, system, process plant, factory, engine or the likeintended for burning a fuel, for example a gas burner, an oil burner, aturbine, a combustion engine, piston engine, an incinerator or thelike,.
 56. A device for improving the handling by extinguishing fires inoil bore holes or the like, wherein a pipe configuration (111) isprovided to be closely received in an oil bore hole, said pipeconfiguration (111) comprising a substantially cylindrical outer casing(113) and an inner casing (112), between which casings a cavity (116) isformed, into which cavity (116) a gaseous medium is intended to beintroduced, said inner casing (112) comprising openings (117) axiallyprovided along the pipe configuration (111).
 57. A device according toclaim 56, wherein the inner casing (112) of the pipe configuration (111)form chambers (114) axially provided along the pipe configuration (111),said chambers (114) being axially connected to each other via openings(115).
 58. A device according to claim 56, wherein the gaseous medium isa mixture of steam and exhaust gas from combustion of a fuel.